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Friday, July 17, 2015

Before last December, less than a year ago, I only sung in the house, or in church at weddings or carols at Christmas. But now singing is part of my life. I am in a choir I tell a friend when she asks what I am up to...Wow I didn't know that she saysI have always wanted to sing, always muttered about doing something about it but it took my recent Breast Cancer storm to push me through the door of one of Liz Martin's amazing Choirs. Singing is like a medicine. A course of rehabilitation. A life line. I rarely stop grinning at choir unless I am wiping a tear from my eye, moved by a song or words.Last week as we sang Hold On. Love will see you through. tears ran down my cheeks as I struggled to gulp back a sob. My Mr H has held on, stuck with me. Our love for each other sees us through the roller coaster of our life. One day I will be able to sing Hold On without tears. Sometime. Some day.On Sunday I joined in a day of singing to raise essential funds for Wotton Arts Centre, in St Kenelm a beautifully simple Georgian Church. Mr H took me and sat in the traditional pews to listen for the first time. The sound of our harmonious voices wafted around the terracotta walls and seeped into souls as we sang the day awayI had to look at the ceiling when we sang Hold On. One peek at Mr H's face and I would have been a sobbing, spluttering mess. He knew though that I sang the song to him.Some of the songs made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck he said as we left. I knew the choir would be good but not THAT good!

Music speaks what cannot be expressed

soothes the mind and gives it rest

heals the heart and makes it whole

flows from heaven to the soul

Why not make a cup of tea and enjoy listening to a recording of our concert in February...

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Last week a friend asked if I ever get bored. Never! I am too busy living I saidEach morning as I wake I wrap my arms around myself and thank the Lord for I feel well. Really well, I am grinning with wellness.

Yes I still trip when the slabs are uneven

and often when they are not.

I have to limit my drinks to six a day.

Be mindful to not let my energy dip too low

to let seizures take hold and

cause an emotional crash...

But this summer I don't have to traipse to and from the oncology unit, have regular bloods taken, or avoid eating runny yolk eggs.I welcome every second of this wellness, cramming as much in as my damaged body can deal with.I am making the most of this pocket of time I tell my counsellor. I am at the top of the mountain and am camping here for as long as I can. I am caring for me. This peace of mind has evaded me for so long as I have constantly searched for the old Dawn. Dawn the nurse. Dawn the leader. Dawn the walker and runner...I have writing projects to keep my grey cells cranking. I can choose whether to commit the time. I had my first swimming lesson for nearly two years and have been encouraged to try Nordic walking at Penny Brohn Cancer Care. And once again I can potter at the allotment,But quite often I am happy to just be. Grateful that I am here to enjoy this summer, my family, friends and life...

About Me

Hello welcome to my blog. Before 2008 I enjoyed a 30 year career in nursing but then I was challenged with a brain tumour and almost everything changed...2014 started with a new challenge of breast cancer. - despite these my sense of humour and the ability to support others remain intact! I now take the gift of each day as it comes.